black 1 of 3

Definition of blacknext
1
as in ebony
having the color of soot or coal we adopted a little black kitten

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
as in swarthy
not having a light complexion a black Irishman, Tyrone Power had the classic looks of a Hollywood leading man

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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black

2 of 3

noun

black

3 of 3

verb

chiefly British

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of black
Adjective
Her nails, too, were on-theme, filed into a square shape and painted with a true, glossy onyx black shade. Kara Nesvig, Allure, 9 Feb. 2026 During a canvass of the scene, investigators also allegedly found a gas can in the area and a black iPhone, the warrant affidavit said. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
Maryland’s Union forces, the clear majority, adopted the black-and-yellow Calvert design as their Union symbol. Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 4 Feb. 2026 The Parisian customization house reimagined the World Is Yours Dual Time Zone, dressing it almost entirely in its signature black. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 31 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for black
Recent Examples of Synonyms for black
Adjective
  • Jenner's ebony mane was done in tousled waves.
    Hannah Malach, InStyle, 6 Jan. 2026
  • This time in an ebony wig and black and silver pants ensemble, Cher, a pair of effervescent dancers and a trio of background singers plowed through the song as fake snow fell from the rafters.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 21 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • The activist also went full glam on her flight, looking radiant in bronzy makeup, complete with dark eyeliner, fluttery eyelashes, fluffy eyebrows, luminous skin, and glossy lips.
    Christina Perrier, InStyle, 10 Feb. 2026
  • More dark, romantic beauty inspiration.
    Jesa Marie Calaor, Allure, 10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui posted a video to X over the weekend, showing a dazzling view of auroras spreading like a tall blanket over the darkened Earth below.
    Josh Dinner, Space.com, 15 Jan. 2026
  • Over the weekend, around 16,000 people paid their respects to the designer at his funeral chamber at the Armani Teatro designed by Tadao Ando, filled with white flowers and paper lanterns on the floor in a diagonal grid formation dimly lit up the darkened venue.
    Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The land, unfenced, abuts a bald blackened hillside that must be public land.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025
  • In its time open, fueled by fans of its blackened mahi and buttery lobster rolls, owner Mike Smith has expanded his footprint, moving into a larger stall in the popular food hall — which has allowed for a menu expansion, as well.
    Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Dec. 2022
Noun
  • The film's opening two minutes play out in complete blackness, a picture-less overture showcasing legendary James Bond composer John Barry's majestic score.
    Richard Edwards, Space.com, 8 Feb. 2026
  • With the streets in pitch blackness, some neighbors said their cameras don't capture much more than the immediate surroundings of their home.
    Clara Migoya, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Democratic governors plan to boycott a White House dinner after two of their colleagues were excluded.
    Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Many Discord users have already responded to the incoming change with calls to boycott the app, with some choosing to leave the platform as well as cancel their Nitro subscriptions.
    Emma Roth, The Verge, 10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Al-Bakoush, 58, appeared Friday afternoon in federal court in Washington, wearing a gray hoodie and using a wheelchair.
    ERIC TUCKER, Arkansas Online, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Rocky, meanwhile, wore a black double-breasted coat with a tie-waist, a spotty gray-blue shirt and coordinating patterned tie, navy slacks, square toe black loafers, a large Bottega Veneta tote, and Ray-Bans.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • But in the murky intermediate regime, the full quantum complexity of each electron plays a role, and the problem is classically intractable.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 4 Feb. 2026
  • There were a lot of murky secrets in the Victorian world.
    Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Black.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/black. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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